I. Essays should demonstrate basic competency in (a) staging a research-driven argument and (b) writing for the medium.

Essays should reflect the basic lessons of PWR 1 about creating an argument or point of view within a given conversation.  They should also reflect a basic command of the medium, achieving clarity and coherence.  They should follow basic principles of writing for the ear and adopt organizational structures and and manner of delivery appropriate for audio.

II. Essays should persuade their audiences by using rhetorical strategies appropriate to the argument and to the medium. 

Essays should demonstrate awareness of rhetorical strategies and appeals that best serve an audio essay on its given subject.  They should make effective use of these strategies (organizational, polemical, delivery, etc.) and show strong control over the medium's conventions and formal elements (use of sound to advance plot or argument, images and narrative to engage and anchor listener, etc.)

1.  Argument/Reflection.  Sufficiently sophisticated, focused, and apparent to the listener. Makes a substantive claim defensible within the scope of the presentation.  Even if the argument or reflection is implicit (dramatized but not stated, say), the purpose of the piece is clear from the start.

2.  Evidence. Appropriate, varied, and sufficient to persuade us of the essay's thesis/reflection. The research clearly supports the point of view that the essay develops. 

3. Organization and Development. Coherent structure: develops in a logical or chronological fashion with strong previewing and signposting, motivated transitions, and clear connections between elements of the piece.  Appropriate to the medium: strong narrative arc, distinct scenes, use of devices such as parallelism and repetition.

4.  Identifiable Rhetorical Stance.  Informed, sufficiently sympathetic, and critical. Accounts for audience and forum of communication.  If necessary for persuading the audience of thesis/reflection, accounts for and addresses other positions on topic.

5.  Clear Stakes (ie, significance of Argument/Reflection). The importance and timeliness of the topic, debate, and claim are effectively conveyed. They reflect substantial research on topic, awareness of the existing conversation.  Audience is led to care about the subject right from the start.

6.  Successful Use of Medium. The essay uses aural elements effectively to illustrate topic and advance argument.  The essay also piece relies on rhetoric favored by the medium—for example, narrative structure, dramatization and appeals to pathos and ethos.

7.  Writing is suited to Oratory. Length, style, syntax, etc. are all suited to oral delivery.

8.  Effective Delivery (of Narration).  Delivery—pacing, inflection, tone, rhythym, syntax and diction—is suited to the medium and the purpose of the piece. Enunciation is clear, mic use is competent, and style is appropriate to the topic and rhetorcial stance of the essay.   

9.  Effective Integration of Sources.  Sources are introduced, identified, and mobilized effectively, according to the constraints of the medium.

10.  Analytical Precision.  Precision in the formulation of claims and use of concepts.

11.  Strong Introduction and Conclusion.  Appropriate strategies used to initiate interest, frame claim, establish what is at stake.  Conclusions avoid summary in favor of developing reflection, recalling stakes, proposing action, etc.

12. Competent management of sound elements.  Consistent sound levels of major elements, appropriate levels for mixed segments (narration with a sound bed, for example), and relatively smooth sound transitions.

13. Great Title.  Snappy and intrigiung. Not only indicates topic but hints at the point of view or stance of the essay.